WHAT'S HAPPENING: The NBA champions actually improved by discarding Glen Rice in a trade that brought Grant and C Greg Foster. The Lakers lost Vice President Jerry West, but Jackson is clearly driving this possible dynasty now, so no worries.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: The Lakers will have to fight the letdown syndrome, but look for Jackson to find some way to motivate this group much like he did the Bulls, who won six titles with him as coach.

2. Portland Trail Blazers

RECORD LAST SEASON: 59-23

WHAT'S NEW: Portland got rebuilt this summer to beat one team: the Lakers. Adding post players like Shawn Kemp, Dale Davis and Will Perdue gives Portland a lot more than 18 fouls for Shaq to work against.

WHAT'S HAPPENED: The Blazers added two more All-Stars in Kemp and Davis, and it will be interesting to see how they handle limited roles behind Scottie Pippen and Rasheed Wallace. C Arvydas Sabonis could likely get fazed out of the mix until playoff time.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: If not for their fourth-quarter meltdown in Game 7 of the conference finals, they might be the defending champs. The addition of Kemp and Davis to the nucleus makes them even better than last season.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: After being hindered by injury most of last season, the Suns should have a healthy cast back by December when Tom Gugliotta returns from his knee injury.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: This squad might be an elite group in the East, but they're in the middle of the pack in the West. One key injury, and the Suns will be folding up shop again early in the playoffs.

4. Seattle SuperSonics

RECORD LAST SEASON: 45-37

WHAT'S NEW: The Sonics stole Patrick Ewing away from the Knicks for spare parts. If he's healthy, Ewing could elevate this squad to one of the West's best.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: The Ewing trade did cost Seattle its bench, but that just provides rookie Desmond Mason more room to grow into his swingman game and PG Shammond Williams more playing time to flourish.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: If everyone remains healthy, F Vin Baker gets his old game back, and preps-to-pros stud Rashard Lewis continues to develop, Seattle could surprise teams in the playoffs. If not, they'll tear it apart next summer and start over.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Chris Webber, the prize of next summer's free agent crop, has yet to agree to an extension. This could be an ongoing subplot to the Kings' season, especially if they're out of the running early.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: Corliss Williamson and Tony Delk provided intangibles that haven't been replaced. Therefore this isn't a better team than last season. At best Sacramento will be making a quick playoff exit.

6. Golden State Warriors

RECORD LAST SEASON: 19-63

WHAT'S NEW: Added Danny Fortson, Adam Keefe, Bob Sura and Vinny Del Negro courtesy of a plethora of trades that cost the Warriors role players. These are nice moves, but hardly headliners.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: This team's storyline falls into that tree falling into the woods theory. Despite all the moves, how much noise can they really make in the Western Conference.

WHERE'S THE FINISH: This team won't make the playoffs, but Golden State might develop a nice core if C Erick Dampier, F Antawn Jamison and G Larry Hughes can develop together.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

RECORD LAST SEASON: 15-67

WHAT'S NEW: This is a young and versatile team with an overload of swing players like Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson and Corey Maggette. There could be a minutes problem in Clippersville.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Everyone who comes there eventually wants to leave, so it's only a matter of time before this crop of talent starts its mass exodus from this laughingstock of the league. Could F Lamar Odom, a former Heat target, be the first to go?

WHERE'S THE FINISH: The Clippers don't have a chance to do anything productive this season. At least they should be fun to watch with their baby-faced cast of players 22-and-under.